Postal Service Presents Rosa Parks Stamp to University

Palm Beach Atlantic University is now home to a poster-sized image of the new United States Postal Service stamp commemorating civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

PBA President William M.B. Fleming Jr. holds the image of the Rosa Parks stamp that West Palm Beach Postmaster Richard Fermo presented to the University on Wednesday.

During the University’s black history month finale event on Wednesday, West Palm Beach Postmaster Richard Fermo and PBA President William M.B. Fleming Jr. jointly unveiled the image, which depicts the second of three civil rights commemorative stamps that the postal service will release this year.

Parks is best known for igniting the Montgomery bus boycotts by her refusal to move to the back of the bus in 1955. “By staying seated, she inspired millions to stand up,” Fermo said.

In accepting the stamp display, President Fleming said that he will ask that it be placed in PBA’s Warren Library “so that all can see, pause, reflect and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for what one individual did as she blended courage with faith to change the course of history.”

The presentation was part of an evening of celebration that began with a prayer by youth pastor Corey Marchand, who works alongside New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church pastor and Riviera Beach Mayor Thomas Masters. Mayor Masters attended the event, and community activist William McCray delivered the closing remarks.

During the event, PBA Professor of Urban Christian Ministry Dr. Terriel Byrd spoke, and students paid tribute to black historical figures through music, words and dance.